Jerry Brown in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Curb prison spending through an historic realignment
You, the California legislature, did it. You cast difficult votes to cut billions from the state budget. You curbed prison spending through an historic realignment and you reformed and reduced the state's long term pension liabilities.
Then, the citizens of California, using their inherent political power under the Constitution, finished the task. They embraced the new taxes of Proposition 30 by a healthy margin of 55% to 44%.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Education:
Consider subsidiarity: central authority only if local fails
California's public schools are subject to tens of thousands of laws and regulations: [from the] school superintendent [to the] State Board of Education, then Congress which passes laws like "No Child Left Behind," and finally the Federal Department of
Education. This year, as you consider new education laws, I ask you to consider the principle of Subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is the idea that a central authority should only perform those tasks which cannot be performed at a more immediate or local
level. In other words, higher or more remote levels of government, like the state, should render assistance to local school districts, but always respect their primary jurisdiction and the dignity and freedom of teachers and students.
Subsidiarity is
offended when distant authorities prescribe in minute detail what is taught, how it is taught and how it is to be measured. I would prefer to trust our teachers who are in the classroom each day, doing the real work--lighting fires in young minds.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Energy & Oil:
CO2 emissions could warm planet by 7 degrees
When we think about California's future, no long term liability presents as great a danger to our wellbeing as the buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to the latest report from the World Bank, carbon dioxide
emissions are the highest in 15 million years. At today's emissions rate, the planet could warm by more than 7 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, an event unknown in human experience. California is extremely vulnerable because of our
Mediterranean climate, long coastline and reliance on snowpack for so much of our water supply.Tipping points can be reached before we even know we have passed them. This is a different kind of challenge than we ever faced. It requires acting now
even though the worst consequences are perhaps decades in the future.
Again California is leading the way. We are reducing emissions as required by AB 32 and we will meet our goal of getting carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Environment:
$14B to build tunnels and restore San Joaquin Delta habitat
1/6 of our water flows through the San Joaquin Delta. If because of an earthquake, a 100-year storm or sea level rise, the Delta fails, the disaster would [cause] losses of at least $100 billion and 40,000 jobs. I am going to do whatever I can to make
sure that does not happen. My proposed plan is 2 tunnels 30 miles long & 40 feet wide, designed to improve the ecology of the Delta, with almost 100 square miles of habitat restoration; [it will cost about] $14 billion. That is big but so is the problem.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Free Trade:
Open CA trade and investment office in Shanghai
California's exports are booming and our place in the world economy has never been stronger. Our ties with The People's Republic of China in particular are deep--from the Chinese immigrants crossing the Pacific in 1848 to hosting China's next President
in Los Angeles last February. This year we will take another step to strengthen the ties--I will lead a trade and investment mission to China with help from the Bay Area Council and officially open California's new trade and investment office in Shanghai
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Health Care:
Get started on ObamaCare, then expand Medi-Cal
California was the first in the nation to pass laws to implement President Obama's historic Affordable Care Act. Our health benefit exchange, called Covered California, will begin next year providing insurance to nearly one million Californians.
Over the rest of this decade, California will steadily reduce the number of the uninsured.
Today I am calling for a special session to deal with those issues that must be decided quickly if California is to get the Affordable Care Act started by next January. The broader expansion of Medi-Cal that the Act calls for is incredibly complex
and will take more time. Working out the right relationship with the counties will test our ingenuity and will not be achieved overnight. Given the costs involved, great prudence should guide every step of the way.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Jobs:
Recover from Great Recession: GoBiz and Jobs Hiring Credit
California lost 1.3 million jobs in the Great Recession but we are coming back at a faster pace than the national average. The new Office of Business and Economic Development-- GoBiz--directly assisted more than 5,000 companies this past year.
This year, we should change both the Enterprise Zone Program and the Jobs Hiring Credit. They aren't working. We also need to streamline our regulatory procedures, particularly the California Environmental Quality Ac, based more on consistent standards.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
On Technology:
I signed high speed rail in 1982; finally done in 2013
In the years following World War II, California embarked on a vast program to build highway, bridges and roads. Most were constructed before we knew about climate change and the lethal effects of dirty air. We now expect more.Last year, you
authorized another big project: High Speed Rail. Electrified trains are part of the future. China already has 5000 miles of high speed rail and intends to double that. Spain has 1600 miles and is building more. More than a dozen other countries have
their own successful high speed rail systems.
The first phase constructs 30 miles of tunnels and bridges [in the] Tehachapi Mountains . Then we will build another 33 miles of tunnels and bridges before we get the train to its destination at
Union Station in the heart of Los Angeles.
It has taken great perseverance to get us this far. I signed the original high speed rail Authority in 1982--over 30 years ago. In 2013, we will finally break ground and start construction.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018